Smaller stars in the NBA sometimes try to embrace a challenge on defense over the course of a game. We used to see it at times in the Big Three era when Rajon Rondo would try to body up LeBron James for a possession here or there with his ball pressure. The move didn't always work but could sometimes provide a lift here or there if it produces a stop or takes a player out of their comfort zone.
Kyrie Irving considers himself a basketball savant but his confidence and/or decisionmaking (it's tough to decipher what's making the bigger impact) didn't give the Celtics much of a shot in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. While Irving slowed down his shot attempts in the second half (2-of-7 from the field) on a miserable offensive night for him, he left a very meaningful imprint on the game on the defensive end. With the season on the line and Irving headed for free agency this summer, Brad Stevens elected to live or die in this game with Irving, leaving him on the court for the final 24 minutes. The Celtics proved unable to overcome that choice in a fourth quarter where stops were necessary for a comeback from a 10-point deficit.
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The main problem with Irving on the defensive end is that he was almost looking for trouble at times when it comes to matchups. The very last thing the Celtics should want on any possession down the floor is Irving guarding Giannis Antetokounmpo and yet that is a matchup Irving did very little to avoid at times, even from the opening tip. Even when Irving is at his defensive best, he can do little to bother Antetokounmpo due to the size mismatch. This has been evident all series long and was seen on the second play of the game when Irving fails to fight through a pick and is left guarding Antetokounmpo in the post (he fouls him).
That sequence set the stage for a fourth quarter in which Irving appeared to be running on fumes at times and fell into some lazy switches on numerous occasions, setting the stage for easy Bucks buckets. Letting a rested Antetokounmpo face Irving was a recipe for disaster and that's exactly what we saw as the boo birds rained down from the Garden in a final frame with minimal resistance.
9:50: Bucks lead 84-74:
Irving starts here by face-guarding Middleton, leaving him prone to getting picked off easily. With no chance to fight through the screen, he has to switch onto Antetokounmpo and the damage is done:
9:05 Bucks lead 87-79: Just one possession later, Irving yet again gets picked off while chasing Middleton over the top of a screen. Instead of scrambling to pick up a man, he tries to direct traffic with his back to the ball. Eventually, he demands to take Giannis while signaling Al Horford guard Nikola Mirotic in the corner. Mirotic sees the indecision by the Celtics D and makes a cut to the hoop. Horford, understandably, is baffled by this Irving direction (why would Kyrie want Giannis?!?) and doesn't get to Mirotic in time to cover up his cut.
2:45: Bucks lead 103-92: After all of this, one would think Irving has learned his lesson. Not quite. In fact, Irving sends away Marcus Morris from Giannis in order to take on the Greek Freak one final time, producing another easy two points for the Bucks to help them steal the game.
Celtics defensive decisionmaking in the 4th was a bit confusing. Kyrie points to Morris to guard Middleton here so he can take...Giannis? pic.twitter.com/Wu4gfQK2vj
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) May 7, 2019